1 [I] compensate (for sth) to remove or reduce the bad effect of sth 弥补: His willingness to work hard compensates for his lack of skill. 他虽无一技之长，但愿意勤奋工作以补其不足。

2 [I,T] compensate (sb) (for sth) to pay sb money because you have injured him/her or lost or damaged his/her property 赔偿: The airline sent me a cheque to compensate for losing my luggage. 航空公司丢失了我的行李，送来一张支票作补偿。